Puri: As the sacred town of Puri gears up for the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, the Odisha Government has assured devotees that preparations are well on track. With less than two weeks remaining for the Snana Yatra—a key prelude to the main event—officials confirmed that nearly 80% of the groundwork has already been completed.
At the second coordination meeting held today, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that the remaining arrangements will be wrapped up ahead of schedule. “We are confident of a smooth and timely execution of all rituals and logistics. The Rath Yatra preparations are being carried out with active coordination among various departments and servitors,” he said.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), entrusted with overseeing the rituals, is preparing for Snana Yatra on June 11. SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee informed that the temple rituals are proceeding as per schedule. “The Daita servitors have entered the temple today, and the traditional Senapatalagi ritual will be held tomorrow,” he noted.
Dr Padhee added that arrangements at the Snana Mandap have been upgraded to ensure smooth darshan for devotees. “We’ve made special provisions along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) for devotees to witness the rituals comfortably,” he said, while urging all servitors to continue extending their full cooperation for the success of the Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra.
Meanwhile, in view of public health concerns, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling issued a word of caution. “We are deploying around 300 doctors to ensure health services during the festival. However, people showing symptoms of Covid-19 are requested to avoid visiting Puri to prevent any potential health risks,” he appealed.
The annual Rath Yatra draws lakhs of devotees from across India and beyond, marking one of the most significant events in Odisha’s spiritual calendar. With preparations moving swiftly and a coordinated effort in place, the state is set to host the chariot festival with tradition, devotion, and safety at its heart.
